Guide to neighbourhood planning

Designate a neighbourhood forum and area

Designate a neighbourhood forum and neighbourhood area

Neighbourhood forums and areas must be formally designated via applications to us. You can apply to designate a neighbourhood area and neighbourhood forum at the same time. 

Designate a neighbourhood forum

Neighbourhood forums are community groups that are designated to take forward neighbourhood planning in areas without parishes.

It’s the Council’s responsibility to agree a neighbourhood forum for the neighbourhood area.

To apply you need:

  • the name of your proposed neighbourhood forum
  • a map of the neighbourhood area
  • contact details of at least one member of the forum that can be made public
  • a copy of the organisation’s written constitution

You will also need to provide statement to explain:

  • the forum’s purpose is to promote or improve the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the neighbourhood
  • membership is open to anyone who lives or works in the neighbourhood area or is an elected member of the Council
  • membership includes a minimum of 21 people who live or work in the neighbourhood area or are an elected member of the Council
  • it has a written constitution

Designate a neighbourhood area

A neighbourhood area is the geographical area that a neighbourhood plan or a neighbourhood development order will cover.

If your neighbourhood forum wants to designate a neighbourhood area you will need to apply and providing a:

  • map of your proposed neighbourhood area
  • statement explaining why the area is appropriate
  • statement that you are a designated forum, or capable of being one

Further information is available in Section 61F(5) and 61G(2) TCPA 1990 Act of the regulations

Last updated: 23 February 2023